National Election Watch (NEW) Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR) has done an analysis of 541 out of 543 elected MPs, and found out that 186 out of them have criminal cases against them. The percentage of such MPs was 30% in 2009, and this time it is 34%. The analysis also showed that a person with a criminal record has 13% chances of winning elections, whereas one with a clean record had just a 5% chance. As per media reports, BJP has the largest number of MPs that is 98 out of 281, who won the elections and had declared criminal cases against them in affidavits.

18-May-2014Politics

J&K Chief Minister Omar Abdullah wants to introspect party

Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah is looking forward to introspect and connect with people to make changes within the party. The National Conference faced defeat in the Lok Sabha elections, and Omar Abdullah’s father and sitting MP Farooq Abdullah did not win in the Srinagar constituency. The state has six seats, out of which three have been won by the People's Democratic Party, and three by the BJP. As per media reports, the ruling party is ready for the amendments by considering the opinions of party members, as well as the people.

18-May-2014Politics

AAP won't take Congress support to form government in Delhi

The BJP and the AAP want fresh elections in Delhi as the capital has been under the President rule since 14 February. As per media reports, AAP is clear that it will not take Congress support if it was given a chance to form the government in Delhi. The Aam Aadmi Party has 27 legislators in the house of 70 and the Congress has eight. Out of 31 legislators of BJP, three have become MPs.

18-May-2014Business

Add value to Delhi Metro smart card doubled

Regular commuters of Delhi Metro using the Metro smart cards will have to pay Rs 200 instead of Rs 100 as minimum add value to the card. Cost of the smart card will be Rs 150 and Rs 50 is a refundable security deposit. With more deposit in the smart card, commuters won’t have to stand in long queues to recharge cards. As per media reports, approximately 12,000 cards are refunded each day and 30% cards are purchased every month.

18-May-2014Science and Technology

IIT- Roorkee and University of Southampton collaborate for research

To encourage mutual research mainly in the areas of railway and aviation engineering, the Indian Institute of Technology-Roorkee collaborated with the University of Southampton. The agreement between the two universities had been signed on 13 May, at Southampton. Proposals, planned initiatives that also include staff visits are part of the agreement. As per media reports, many thematic workshops have been conducted in both the countries to strengthen the relationships.

18-May-2014Politics

The RSS won't play any role in union cabinet formation

As per senior BJP leader M Venkaiah Naidu the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) would not have a role in the formation of the Union Cabinet. The BJP leaders regularly meet the RSS leaders but it won’t influence the Cabinet formation in any way. On Sunday, the RSS office was visited by many BJP leaders such as Harsh Vardhan, Gopi Nath Munde, and Rajiv Pratap Rudy, as per media reports. BJP leaders are frequently visiting the RSS office since the declaration of the poll results.